Improvement in tubing-clutches



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T. THORNTON.

TUBING CLUTGH.

Patented .my 18,1876.

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NPERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON D. C.

THOMAS THORNTON, OF TIDIOTE, PENNSYLVANIA.-

IMPROVEMENT IN TUBING-CLUTCHES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 179,973, dated July 18, 1876; application filed May 15, 1876.

To all lwhom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS THORNTON, of Tidioute, Warren county, Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Tubing-Clutch, of whichv Aas an elevator to draw the remaining portion from the well.

B y my invention all these several Objects are attained, tliecluteh being so constructed that when resting on the top of the casing of the well it clamps the tubing fast and prevents it from turning.

In the drawing, Figure l shows a plan, and Fig. 2 an elevation, with the clutch lifted from the top ofthe casing; Fig. 3, a section of the clutch as it is used in drawing the tubing, and Fig. 4 a section as it rests on the top of the casing,`and is holding the tubing from turning. (Figs. 3 and 4 are the sections on line m y in the plan.)

A represents the top of the casing of the well B, a cap placed over the casing, and secured to it by bolts or otherwise.' This cap has an opening in the center sufficiently large to allow the tubing to pass through; the alternate quarter-sections ot' the circumference or rim ofthe cap B being raised so as to form the shoulders b b. y

D is the clutch, made from castiron or other metal. On the bottom are four projections or feet, d d, madeto rit into corresponding depressions or holes in the cap B, indicated by the dotted lines.

E is a slot to allow the clutch to be placed around the tubing C, and is made just wide enough to admit the tubing below the collar. f f are wires or handles, to which the rope is attached to raise the tubing. g g are sliding clamps or jaws, made of cast-steel, and are so constructed that when the clutch D is suspended, or when the feet'd d rest on the cap B, they slide downward and back from the tubing, but when vthe clutch is lowered, so that the feet d d drop into the corresponding holes in the cap B, the weight of the clutch and of the tubing rests on the bottom'of the jaws gg, which are then forced upward and against the collar on the tubing. The upper face against the tubing being sharply serrated, it thus firmly holds the tubing and prevents it from turning. 1th are shoulders in the slot E, on which the collar on the tubing rests.

The jaws g g are so formed that when they are dropped back or open, they'will allow the collar on the tubing to descend to the shoulder It, but will not allow it to pass out horizontally, thus preventing the tubing slipping from the clutch while raising or lowering.

The operation is as follows: The tubing being 'raised suficiently for the clutch to be placedY around it below the collar, it is again lowered till the clutch rests upon the cap B, and the collar upon the shoulder h. The

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

clutch is then turned till the feet d d drop into the holes in the cap B, when the clutch drops till its weight and the weight of the tubing rest on the bottom of the jaws g g, which are thus forced up and against the collar of the tubing, holding it firmly in place. The upper joint is then unscrewed and removed, the rope attached by a hook to the handles f f, and the Y.

clutch, with the tubing, drawn from the well,

till a second section is exposed, the jaws g gdropping back and releasing their' hold on the collar.

What l claim as my invention is'- y The clutch D, provided with the feet d d and jaws g g, in combination with the easingcap B, substantially as and for the 'purposes set forth.

. THOMAS THORNTON.

Witnesses:

L. R. KLUMPH, J. M. HENDERSON. 

